Garretson Ousts Menza In Hillside Runoff Election

Garretson, a Democratic councilwoman who was supported by Union County power broker state Sen. Ray Lesniak and U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr., won 1,936 votes to Menza’s 1,556 according to unofficial results released by the township clerk’s office.

Menza, an independent who had the backing of Republican Gov. Chris Christie, was not able to convince voters to give him another term.

The run-off election was necessary because no candidate won a majority of votes in a three-way contest in the Nov. 5 general election.

Menza’s runningmate Frank Deo was the top vote-getter among six council candidates, holding onto his seat. George Alston Jr. and Sip Whitaker were also elected, according to unofficial results. Councilman Donald DeAugustine was not re-elected and finished fifth.